Samurai Shodown V Special is pretty slim in terms of what it offers casuals with its arcade mode. But I'm not one to play fighting games that way.
As a multiplayer game, Samurai Shodown V Special is one of the greats of the genre.
The presence of both Time Slow ("State of Nothingness") and Rage lead to some interesting planning and decision making. Generally to make the best of one, you have to weaken or not use the other. But in a pinch, you might still use time slow even when you spent the whole match focused on rage. Or you might rage explode to avoid dying, even if you end up not getting anything from all the meditation you did for time slow.
This sets the game apart from all others in the series when combined with the dodge button and all the different maneuvers they tied to it. Hopping in place to avoid and punish a throw. ducking or rolling to go under fireballs. meditating in place to build up power for your time slow.... it's great
Samsho's hard hitting attacks, plentiful game mechanics, and atmospheric music lend it a beautiful and still unique flavor to this day.
Game's pretty jank though. Probably would have benefited from some extra polish and dev time. But it's not like there's any money on the line when you play it. Just enjoy it and embrace the occasional quirky interactions between attacks.
Easy for beginners to jump in and start swinging big Heavy Slash attacks that do tons of damage. Fun for experienced players to master the many tools available and learn how to bluff and bait their opponents into missing their attack and being struck down.
As a multiplayer game, Samurai Shodown V Special is one of the greats of the genre.
The presence of both Time Slow ("State of Nothingness") and Rage lead to some interesting planning and decision making. Generally to make the best of one, you have to weaken or not use the other. But in a pinch, you might still use time slow even when you spent the whole match focused on rage. Or you might rage explode to avoid dying, even if you end up not getting anything from all the meditation you did for time slow.
This sets the game apart from all others in the series when combined with the dodge button and all the different maneuvers they tied to it. Hopping in place to avoid and punish a throw. ducking or rolling to go under fireballs. meditating in place to build up power for your time slow.... it's great
Samsho's hard hitting attacks, plentiful game mechanics, and atmospheric music lend it a beautiful and still unique flavor to this day.
Game's pretty jank though. Probably would have benefited from some extra polish and dev time. But it's not like there's any money on the line when you play it. Just enjoy it and embrace the occasional quirky interactions between attacks.
Easy for beginners to jump in and start swinging big Heavy Slash attacks that do tons of damage. Fun for experienced players to master the many tools available and learn how to bluff and bait their opponents into missing their attack and being struck down.